title: Malignant melanoma and adjuvant alpha interferon-2b for patients at high risk of relapse.
abstract: Malignant melanoma, the least common but most serious form of skin cancer, is increasing at a faster rate than any other form of cancer. Early diagnosis can lead to cures through surgery alone. Patients with deeper primary lesions (greater than 4 mm) or regional lymph node involvement have a high risk of relapse. High-dose alpha interferon-2b is the first agent to significantly affect the relapse-free survival of high-risk patients with melanoma in a large randomized, controlled trial. Knowledge of the stages of malignant melanoma, its treatments, the mechanism of action of interferon, and commonly experienced adverse events will contribute to the nurse's ability to manage the clinical problems patients with melanoma face.
authors.affiliation: Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gale
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Kiley
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins